Forest Society of Maine

Your land trust for Maine's North Woods
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Still Here

April 15, 2021 By Annie

View of Mount Kineo and other conserved forestlands along Moosehead Lake.
View of Mount Kineo and other conserved forestlands along Moosehead Lake.

By Bonnie Newsom

This story was originally published in FSM’s 2015 publication, Reflections.

The Maine woods—the words inspire different feelings for different people. As a Penobscot person and someone who has devoted my career to understanding the deep antiquity of human occupation of Maine, I cannot help but feel grateful for the good stewardship of my ancestors, for without their understanding of and respect for the natural world, the Maine woods would not exist today.

I spend a lot of time in the Maine woods. My work as an archaeologist has taken me from the shores of Chesuncook Lake to Mt. Kineo to Millinocket and Alder Stream. I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to enjoy the gifts of Maine’s forested landscape through my work. However, I am most appreciative of time spent in the woods when I have no other role other than being. It is during those times that I am blessed with an intimate connection to my ancestors and all other life forms that surround me.

Gandhi advises us to “speak only when it improves upon the silence.”  Anyone who has spent any time deep in the Maine woods can attest to fact that the forests are far from silent. However, I have found that my own silence while in the woods enables me to connect with my ancestors through a shared sensory experience that surpasses time. In essence, some things never change. Today, I can experience many of the same smells, sounds, textures and sights that my ancestors have experienced over millennia. The creaking of tall trees swaying in the wind, the crisp smell of a cedar tree, the slipperiness of the rocks along the shore, even the twinge of embarrassment that accompanies tripping over a root along a well-worn path—these sensations are timeless and unchanging, and will remain so as long as forests exist.

My time in the woods affords me the opportunity to experience a bit of my ancestors world. So much has changed for us—language, housing, transportation, food. But when I’m in the woods, away from busy streets, modern conveniences and excessive materiality, I am attuned to the visceral relationship that Penobscots have with the lands and waters. It is during those quiet reflective times I’m reminded that the forested landscape is a part of us and we a part of it. We have evolved together and share a deep common history. Together we have experienced the effects of colonization and together we struggle to heal from it.

I often wonder what my ancestors would think of our world today. I suspect they would be overwhelmed because much of their homeland would be unfamiliar. However, I believe they would take comfort in knowing that some things haven’t changed. Penobscot people are still here. We are still humbled by the beauty of Katahdin on the horizon, pine pitch is still sticky, and beavers still slap their tails on the waters of northern Maine.

 

Bonnie Newsom is a member of the Penobscot Nation and President of Nutalket Consulting–a Native American owned and operated small business that blends heritage preservation consulting with Native American art and jewelry design. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Maine, Orono, and a member of FSM’s board of directors.

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: Reflections

Committed to Diversity

The Forest Society of Maine (FSM) recognizes the importance and urgency of increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all elements of our mission and work. Please read FSM’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Statement here: FSM’s DEIJ Statement.

KIW-Silver Lake Drone Footage

The Forest Society of Maine is pleased to share with the public drone footage highlighting the unique values of the KIW-Silver Lake property. The drone footage can be accessed using the following link to a Google Drive folder: KIW Drone Footage. The footage was sponsored by Conservation Forestry, LLC and filmed by North Woods Aerial. The videos shared here also include subtitles for accessibility.

Maine Won’t Wait

The Maine Climate Council published a four-year plan for climate action in Maine in December 2020. The Council made two proposals that directly impact Maine’s forests. Firstly, an increase of 30% in total acreage of conserved lands in Maine by 2030 (30 by 30) through purchases of land and conservation easements. Secondly, the development of new programs and incentives to increase carbon storage.

For the full document, visit: Maine Won’t Wait.

Background Photo Credit: James Wheeler

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Your land trust for Maine’s North Woods

Forest Society of Maine conserves Maine's forestlands in a manner that sustains their ecological, economic, cultural, and recreational values.

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Main Office
115 Franklin St., 3rd Floor,
Bangor, Maine 04401
(207) 945-9200
info@fsmaine.org

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